What is the ASB working group?
Members of the ASB Working Group are a network of involved residents who work alongside staff and provide feedback, review policies and help drive service improvement and resident experience.
The purpose of the ASB Working Group is to ensure residents have a meaningful voice in how the service is delivered and monitored, bringing lived experience into discussions to improve the service.
The group consists of up to 10 residents and meetings take place every month via MS Teams.
A recommendation tracker has been developed and shared with the group and is also presented to the Resident Assembly Quarterly.
What have the group reviewed?
So far the group have:
- Reviewed and provided feedback on the Noise Nuisance policy
- Reviewed and provided feedback on the Safeguarding Children and Young People policy
- Conducted case reviews on Noise Nuisance
Take a look at some of the recommendations and outcomes:
Recommendations
Recommendation
Update the policy to include details about the times of day when noise occurs and to clearly explain the differences between statutory noise, noise nuisance, and anti-social behaviour.
Outcome
Recommendation
Provide clear guidance on what PA Housing will or wont listen to regarding submission.
Agreed action
We will review the policy for clarity on what we will listen to in regards to noise complaints.
Recommendation
Look into Noise around walls being removed and how this impacts sound.
Outcome
This is in the new tenancy agreement and has been added into the noise nuisance policy.
We will not remove internal walls in properties without prior written consent and this consent will not be authorised if it may increase noise transference.
Recommendation
For those who struggle reading long policy’s maybe having a bite size video step-by-step on key points of the policy explaining all things around Noise Nuisance.
Agreed action
Develop a video for residents to support them in understanding how to report noise.
Outcome
A scoping meeting is currently being arranged after discussions with the Communications team.
Recommendation
Look at accessibility and availability for those who can't read and write, or don’t have access to reporting tools.
Outcome
The policy has been updated to include information around accessibility under the section 'What can residents expect from PA Housing'.
PA Housing will make reasonable adjustments for vulnerable residents who are unable to utilise the noise recording app and or diary sheets.
Recommendation
Provide more clarity on where PA Housing stands around the enforcement of Noise Nuisance.
Agreed action
The ASB working group will review the Noise Nuisance procedure at a later date to ensure there is clarity around enforcement of noise nuisance.
Recommendation
Review the training provided to call handlers to manage expectations and handling difficult conversations.
Outcome
The new training framework for ASB officers and admin has been implemented. Training for call handlers is currently being reviewed.
Recommendation
Review the wording and accuracy where it states wooden flooring is a breach of tenancy agreement/leasehold agreement.
Agreed action
This has been passed over to the Head of Lettings as we are currently re-writing our tenancy agreement and this will be considered.
Recommendation
Look at capturing different tenures and amount of people/over-crowding and linking with the Lettings and Leasehold teams around this.
Outcome
We have reviewed the tenancy agreements and included information around over-crowding.
What are the group going to be looking at?
Over the next few months, the group will be:
- Conducting further case reviews looking at Hate Crime
- Reviewing the Noise Nuisance letters received by residents
- Reviewing ASB with Home Owners
- Support with creating a Closure Order policy
Get involved today!
If you're interested in being a part of our ASB Working Group, register your interest by completing the form or contact us on 0300 123 2221.
